Race In The Park Returns After A Three Year Hiatus

By Jeniece Roman, The Bristol Press

February 14, 2022

After a three-year hiatus, residents can look forward to the annual CT Breast Health Initiative’s Race in the Park event, which will take place in-person this spring.

The event will be held May 7 in the historic Walnut Hill Park. Participants can register or pledge for the event, which includes a 5K Race and Walk and 4K and 1 Mile Walks, and Kids’ Challenge. President of the CT BHI Board of Directors Joyce Braysaid the weekend event has brought in more than $4.2 million and 105 grants have been provided for research and education initiatives in the past two decades. Bray said 100 percent of money raised stays in Connecticut.

“Every person who participates, every dollar donated, brings us closer to the next breakthrough and ultimately a cure. And there is groundbreaking research underway right here in Connecticut that we are proud to support, thanks to our dedicated donors, participants and volunteers,” Bray said.

Bray said the race celebrates survivors with a RACE Day Survivor Breakfast at the start of the day, which will be announced in the coming weeks. The race will offer options including a 5K run, a 4K walk, a 1 mile walk, and two Kids’ Challenges (1 mile and ½ mile). Each course includes a loop around the Historic Walnut Hill Park, and participants in the 5K also run through the surrounding neighborhood. Bray said the event has always been a family-centered day with residents standing on their front lawns, cheering racers as they go by.

“The entire community really comes together to support this wonderful family day. Our volunteers are the backbone of the event. They are extraordinarily dedicated and ensure that all goes smoothly, which makes it a truly memorable experience for everyone who participates,” Bray said. “So much has changed during the past year, but breast cancer continues. It does not stop. Our vision is a world without breast cancer, and we know that research is the answer to Cancer.”

In 2020, the race was not held due to covid-19 safety restrictions but a total of $80,000 in research grants were awarded to Saint Francis Hospital, The Hospital of Central Connecticut and UConn Health. In 2021, the organization held a virtual event by allowing participants the opportunity to run or walk in a location of their choice and keep track of their time. Participants were asked to share a photo to show support of state-based breast cancer research and education.Bray said this year, safety protocols will be observed, consistent with local, state and national guidelines.

The money raised has funded grants provided to breast cancer research and education initiatives across the state, including in Farmington, Hartford, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk and more, with researchers at MidState Medical Center, UConn Health Center, Yale University, Saint Francis Hospital and Hospital of Central Connecticut and other hospitals among the grant recipients.

“RACE Day is not only about raising money for breast cancer research, it also supports the community of survivors and honors loved ones,” Bray said. “With generous support this year, Connecticut can lead the way in breast cancer research, advancing the work of dedicated researchers across our state.”

Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, and Kristen Zarfos, M.D., F.A.C.S., Medical Director of the Karl J. Krapek, Sr. Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Trinity Health of New England Medical Group’s Saint Francis Hospital will be honorary co-chairs for the event.

Registration begins at $15 for youth ages 13 to 17 and $12 for children 12 and under to participate in the Kids Fun Run. Adults that register early, from now through February 14, can pay a special price of $26 for an early bird special. Registration fees will increase in the following weeks leading to the event. Interested participants can register at www.ctbhi.org .